US20090241396A1 - Ergonomic charging handle for a rifle - Google Patents
Ergonomic charging handle for a rifle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090241396A1 US20090241396A1 US12/408,848 US40884809A US2009241396A1 US 20090241396 A1 US20090241396 A1 US 20090241396A1 US 40884809 A US40884809 A US 40884809A US 2009241396 A1 US2009241396 A1 US 2009241396A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rifle
- charging handle
- ergonomic
- handle according
- charging
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A3/00—Breech mechanisms, e.g. locks
- F41A3/64—Mounting of breech-blocks; Accessories for breech-blocks or breech-block mountings
- F41A3/72—Operating handles or levers; Mounting thereof in breech-blocks or bolts
Definitions
- the present invention pertains to a charging handle for a rifle or a semi-automatic rifle where the charging handle is mounted on the actuation device of the rifle in close proximity to a receiver rail on the rifle, the receiver rail being used to mount an accessory such as an optical device or sights for the rifle.
- Prior art devices relied upon a charging handle that was angled upwardly toward the rail mounted on the receiver/barrel of the rifle thus making it difficult for the user of the rifle to actuate the charging handle without the user's fingers interfering with the optics or a sight mounted on the receiver rail of the rifle.
- the present invention relates to a charging handle that is provided with adequate clearance so that the operator's hand, whether bare or covered with gloves, or any other part of the user's body engaging the charging handle, does so without interference with the optics or any sights mounted on the receiver rail of the rifle.
- the charging handle is set at an angle and is of a length that permits the user to easily grasp the charging handle and apply force necessary to actuate the rifle.
- the present invention is an ergonomic charging handle for actuating an automatic or semi-automatic rifle comprising a body having a first or tab portion to be fitted to the actuating mechanism of the rifle, a second or user portion of the body disposed at an angle to the tab portion so that when the body is assembled on the rifle the handle portion extends away from accessories mounted on a barrel of the rifle in the vicinity of the actuating mechanism of the rifle.
- FIG. 1 a is a front elevational view of a portion of a rifle with a charging handle according to the prior art
- FIG. 1 b is a front elevational view of a portion of a rifle such as the rifle in FIG. 1 a with a charging handle according to the present invention
- FIG. 1 c is a schematic front elevational view of the rifle of FIG. 1 b with another embodiment of the charging handle of the present invention
- FIG. 2 a is a front elevational view of a charging handle according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 b is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 2 a;
- FIG. 2 c is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG. 2 a;
- FIG. 2 d is a fragmentary view of the charging handle of the present invention illustrating curvature of a portion of the device
- FIG. 3 a is a front elevational view of a charging handle according to the present invention illustrating certain dimensional relationships of the device according to the present invention
- FIG. 3 b is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 3 a;
- FIG. 3 c is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a charging handle according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 d is a top plan view of another embodiment of a charging handle according to the present invention.
- the present invention pertains to a charging handle that is used for a rifle such as a SigSauer 55X series rifle manufactured and sold by SigSauer of Morris, N.H.
- a rifle 10 such as the SigSauer series 55X, in particular the SigSauer 556 combination rifle/pistol 10 is fitted with a charging handle 12 which is in turn connected to the actuator or bolt portion of the rifle 10 .
- the charging handle 12 is positioned so that when a user of the rifle 10 grasps the charging handle 12 , it is possible that the user's finger, especially when the user is wearing a glove, can come into contact with the optical device 14 thus making it difficult to actuate the charging handle 12 .
- FIG. 1 b shows the rifle 10 of FIG. 1 a provided with a charging handle 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 c shows the rifle 10 of FIG. 1 a provided with a charging handle 21 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- the charging handle 20 according to the present invention comprises a first portion 22 , the dimensions and shape of which are dictated by the rifle to which the charging handle 20 will be fitted.
- the second portion 24 of charging handle 20 is shown disposed in an angular relationship to portion 22 and may contain surface patterns or textures 26 that aid in the user's grip of the charging handle 20 .
- the curvature of the portion 24 of the charging handle 20 is shown in FIG. 2d .
- the angular relationship A is between 0 ( FIG. 1 c ) to less than 90 degrees ( FIG. 1 b ).
- the angular relationship A is based upon the portion 22 being placed in the receiver of the rifle perpendicular to the receiver of the rifle in a plane that is generally taken through the barrel of the rifle in a horizontal direction.
- the second portion 23 of handle 21 can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiver/barrel as shown in FIG. 1 c.
- the second portion of handle 20 can extend at an angle measured as a negative angle from the tab portion 22 of handle 20 .
- the dimension B which is the length of portion 24 , can be of any length suitable to accomplish the aim of the invention which is to provide an ergonomic handle that will provide the user with the maximum comfort and ability to actuate the rifle.
- the portion 28 of a charging handle 20 can be made longer to accommodate the particular needs of a user of the device.
- the portion 32 of the charging handle 30 can be made with one or more finger grips as shown.
- the device of the present invention provides an operator with the ability to move the charging handle using his or her hand, fingers, gloved hand or any other device or body part away from the optics or sight mounted on the rifle.
- the angle and length of the portion of the charging handle contacted by the operator can be made to accommodate the best position for a rifle to which the device of the invention can be applied.
- the portion of the actuator or charging handle contacted by the operator in a normal operating position can be provided with a surface that enhances the grip of the user.
- the surface can be provided with machined grooves, knobs, indentations or the like or can be provided with a non-skid surface.
- the charging handle according to the invention is preferably made of high strength steel.
- the device of the present invention can be made from any ferrous, non-ferrous, composite or synthetic material that meets the desired mechanical and physical properties of the charging handle.
- the charging handle according to the invention can be manufactured by any of the conventional manufacturing processes such as machining, forging, casting, molding, layering and the like.
- actuating mechanism can be used to describe a bolt, rod or piston.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A charging handle for a rifle or semi-automatic rifle with a user portion positioned to provide maximum user comfort and minimum interference with accessories mounted on the rifle.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/072,385 filed on Mar. 31, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
- The present invention pertains to a charging handle for a rifle or a semi-automatic rifle where the charging handle is mounted on the actuation device of the rifle in close proximity to a receiver rail on the rifle, the receiver rail being used to mount an accessory such as an optical device or sights for the rifle.
- Prior art devices relied upon a charging handle that was angled upwardly toward the rail mounted on the receiver/barrel of the rifle thus making it difficult for the user of the rifle to actuate the charging handle without the user's fingers interfering with the optics or a sight mounted on the receiver rail of the rifle.
- The present invention relates to a charging handle that is provided with adequate clearance so that the operator's hand, whether bare or covered with gloves, or any other part of the user's body engaging the charging handle, does so without interference with the optics or any sights mounted on the receiver rail of the rifle.
- According to the present invention, the charging handle is set at an angle and is of a length that permits the user to easily grasp the charging handle and apply force necessary to actuate the rifle.
- Therefore in one aspect, the present invention is an ergonomic charging handle for actuating an automatic or semi-automatic rifle comprising a body having a first or tab portion to be fitted to the actuating mechanism of the rifle, a second or user portion of the body disposed at an angle to the tab portion so that when the body is assembled on the rifle the handle portion extends away from accessories mounted on a barrel of the rifle in the vicinity of the actuating mechanism of the rifle.
- The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures wherein like numerals denote like elements.
-
FIG. 1 a is a front elevational view of a portion of a rifle with a charging handle according to the prior art; -
FIG. 1 b is a front elevational view of a portion of a rifle such as the rifle inFIG. 1 a with a charging handle according to the present invention; -
FIG. 1 c is a schematic front elevational view of the rifle ofFIG. 1 b with another embodiment of the charging handle of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 a is a front elevational view of a charging handle according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 b is a top plan view of the device ofFIG. 2 a; -
FIG. 2 c is a bottom plan view of the device ofFIG. 2 a; -
FIG. 2 d is a fragmentary view of the charging handle of the present invention illustrating curvature of a portion of the device; -
FIG. 3 a is a front elevational view of a charging handle according to the present invention illustrating certain dimensional relationships of the device according to the present invention; -
FIG. 3 b is a top plan view of the device ofFIG. 3 a; -
FIG. 3 c is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a charging handle according to the present invention; and -
FIG. 3 d is a top plan view of another embodiment of a charging handle according to the present invention. - The ensuing detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
- The present invention pertains to a charging handle that is used for a rifle such as a SigSauer 55X series rifle manufactured and sold by SigSauer of Exeter, N.H.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 a, arifle 10 such as the SigSauer series 55X, in particular the SigSauer 556 combination rifle/pistol 10 is fitted with acharging handle 12 which is in turn connected to the actuator or bolt portion of therifle 10. - On top of the
barrel 18 of therifle 10 is arail 16 to receive a sight oroptical device 14. As shown inFIG. 1 a, thecharging handle 12 is positioned so that when a user of therifle 10 grasps thecharging handle 12, it is possible that the user's finger, especially when the user is wearing a glove, can come into contact with theoptical device 14 thus making it difficult to actuate thecharging handle 12. -
FIG. 1 b shows therifle 10 ofFIG. 1 a provided with acharging handle 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 1 c shows therifle 10 ofFIG. 1 a provided with acharging handle 21 according to another embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c, thecharging handle 20 according to the present invention comprises afirst portion 22, the dimensions and shape of which are dictated by the rifle to which thecharging handle 20 will be fitted. - The
second portion 24 ofcharging handle 20 is shown disposed in an angular relationship toportion 22 and may contain surface patterns ortextures 26 that aid in the user's grip of thecharging handle 20. - The curvature of the
portion 24 of thecharging handle 20 is shown inFIG. 2d . - Referring to
FIG. 3 a, the relationship betweenportions charging handle 20 are illustrated. - In the illustration of
FIG. 3 a, the angular relationship A is between 0 (FIG. 1 c) to less than 90 degrees (FIG. 1 b). The angular relationship A is based upon theportion 22 being placed in the receiver of the rifle perpendicular to the receiver of the rifle in a plane that is generally taken through the barrel of the rifle in a horizontal direction. Thus thesecond portion 23 ofhandle 21 can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiver/barrel as shown inFIG. 1 c. As shown inFIG. 1 b, the second portion ofhandle 20 can extend at an angle measured as a negative angle from thetab portion 22 ofhandle 20. - The dimension B, which is the length of
portion 24, can be of any length suitable to accomplish the aim of the invention which is to provide an ergonomic handle that will provide the user with the maximum comfort and ability to actuate the rifle. - Referring to
FIG. 3 c, theportion 28 of acharging handle 20 can be made longer to accommodate the particular needs of a user of the device. - Referring to
FIG. 3 d, theportion 32 of thecharging handle 30 can be made with one or more finger grips as shown. - The device of the present invention provides an operator with the ability to move the charging handle using his or her hand, fingers, gloved hand or any other device or body part away from the optics or sight mounted on the rifle.
- The angle and length of the portion of the charging handle contacted by the operator can be made to accommodate the best position for a rifle to which the device of the invention can be applied.
- As stated above, the portion of the actuator or charging handle contacted by the operator in a normal operating position can be provided with a surface that enhances the grip of the user. The surface can be provided with machined grooves, knobs, indentations or the like or can be provided with a non-skid surface.
- The charging handle according to the invention is preferably made of high strength steel. However, the device of the present invention can be made from any ferrous, non-ferrous, composite or synthetic material that meets the desired mechanical and physical properties of the charging handle.
- The charging handle according to the invention can be manufactured by any of the conventional manufacturing processes such as machining, forging, casting, molding, layering and the like.
- As used herein, the term actuating mechanism can be used to describe a bolt, rod or piston.
Claims (6)
1. An ergonomic charging handle for actuating an automatic or semi-automatic rifle comprising:
a body having a first or tab portion to be fitted to the actuating mechanism of the rifle;
a second or user portion of said body disposed at an angle to said tab portion so that when said body is assembled on said rifle said handle portion extends away from accessories mounted on a barrel of said rifle in the vicinity of said actuating mechanism of said rifle.
2. An ergonomic charging handle according to claim 1 wherein said angle is 0° to less than −90° measured from a horizontal plane passing perpendicular through a longitudinal axis of the barrel of said rifle.
3. An ergonomic charging handle according to claim 1 wherein said user portion is sized to permit an operator to easily engage and operate said charging handle with one hand, finger, gloved hand, body parts or mechanical device.
4. A charging handle according to claim 1 wherein said user portion is provided with an enhanced griping or contact surface.
5. A charging handle according to claim 1 fabricated from metal, high strength steel, synthetic material, reinforced synthetic materials, reinforced carbon fiber composites and the like.
6. A charging handle according to claim 1 can be fabricated by one of casting, forging, machining, molding and the like.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/408,848 US20090241396A1 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-23 | Ergonomic charging handle for a rifle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US7238508P | 2008-03-31 | 2008-03-31 | |
US12/408,848 US20090241396A1 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-23 | Ergonomic charging handle for a rifle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20090241396A1 true US20090241396A1 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
Family
ID=41115000
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/408,848 Abandoned US20090241396A1 (en) | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-23 | Ergonomic charging handle for a rifle |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20090241396A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8863632B1 (en) | 2012-04-12 | 2014-10-21 | Kevin O'Malley | Charging handle |
US9573268B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-02-21 | Frederick Steven Azhocar | Swivel handle assembly |
US9718182B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-08-01 | Frederick Steven Azhocar | Swivel handle assembly |
USD825020S1 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2018-08-07 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US10190834B2 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2019-01-29 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US10866061B2 (en) | 2014-05-06 | 2020-12-15 | Tja Design Llc | Multi-axis firearm foregrip |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2168114A (en) * | 1935-07-09 | 1939-08-01 | Anciens Ets Hotchkiss & Cie | Remote control for automatic firearms |
US3255667A (en) * | 1962-03-23 | 1966-06-14 | Walther Fritz | Breech tensioning and displacing device for firearms |
US3700394A (en) * | 1967-11-28 | 1972-10-24 | Secr Defence | Cocking mechanisms for guns |
US3731588A (en) * | 1969-09-12 | 1973-05-08 | Colt Ind Operating Corp | Machine gun having trigger group |
US3938422A (en) * | 1973-06-01 | 1976-02-17 | Tellie Paul E | Automatic firearms having a bolt assisted by an additional mass |
US4014247A (en) * | 1974-11-19 | 1977-03-29 | Ithaca Gun Company, Inc. | Gas-operated shotgun |
US4052926A (en) * | 1974-11-19 | 1977-10-11 | Ithaca Gun Company, Inc. | Charging handle for a gas-operated shotgun |
US4702144A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1987-10-27 | Steyr-Daimler-Puch Ag | Cocking slide for automatic hand firearms |
US20050262992A1 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2005-12-01 | Wolfgang Becker | Device for electrically controlling an automatic weapon |
US7219463B2 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2007-05-22 | Heckler & Koch Gmbh | Methods and apparatus to secure a safety catch in a jammed position |
US7849777B1 (en) * | 2007-10-04 | 2010-12-14 | Fabbrica D'armi Pietro Beretta S.P.A. | Firearm with an improved breech bolt assembly |
-
2009
- 2009-03-23 US US12/408,848 patent/US20090241396A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2168114A (en) * | 1935-07-09 | 1939-08-01 | Anciens Ets Hotchkiss & Cie | Remote control for automatic firearms |
US3255667A (en) * | 1962-03-23 | 1966-06-14 | Walther Fritz | Breech tensioning and displacing device for firearms |
US3700394A (en) * | 1967-11-28 | 1972-10-24 | Secr Defence | Cocking mechanisms for guns |
US3731588A (en) * | 1969-09-12 | 1973-05-08 | Colt Ind Operating Corp | Machine gun having trigger group |
US3938422A (en) * | 1973-06-01 | 1976-02-17 | Tellie Paul E | Automatic firearms having a bolt assisted by an additional mass |
US4014247A (en) * | 1974-11-19 | 1977-03-29 | Ithaca Gun Company, Inc. | Gas-operated shotgun |
US4052926A (en) * | 1974-11-19 | 1977-10-11 | Ithaca Gun Company, Inc. | Charging handle for a gas-operated shotgun |
US4702144A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1987-10-27 | Steyr-Daimler-Puch Ag | Cocking slide for automatic hand firearms |
US7219463B2 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2007-05-22 | Heckler & Koch Gmbh | Methods and apparatus to secure a safety catch in a jammed position |
US20050262992A1 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2005-12-01 | Wolfgang Becker | Device for electrically controlling an automatic weapon |
US7849777B1 (en) * | 2007-10-04 | 2010-12-14 | Fabbrica D'armi Pietro Beretta S.P.A. | Firearm with an improved breech bolt assembly |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8863632B1 (en) | 2012-04-12 | 2014-10-21 | Kevin O'Malley | Charging handle |
US10866061B2 (en) | 2014-05-06 | 2020-12-15 | Tja Design Llc | Multi-axis firearm foregrip |
US9573268B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-02-21 | Frederick Steven Azhocar | Swivel handle assembly |
US9718182B2 (en) | 2015-05-12 | 2017-08-01 | Frederick Steven Azhocar | Swivel handle assembly |
USD825020S1 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2018-08-07 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US10190834B2 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2019-01-29 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US10663240B2 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2020-05-26 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US11131515B2 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2021-09-28 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
US11725892B2 (en) | 2016-09-12 | 2023-08-15 | Vista Outdoor Operations Llc | Charging handle |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |